Carwyn Jones quits as Welsh first minister

Carwyn Jones had been under pressure for months over the suspected suicide of Carl Sargeant, a cabinet colleague, last yearOli Scarff/Getty Images

The first minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, is to stand down. His announcement today took the Welsh Labour party by surprise and follows criticism over the suspected suicide of a cabinet colleague last year.

Mr Jones had been under pressure since Carl Sargeant was found dead in November, four days after being sacked as a minister over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.

Although sources close to the Welsh leader say he made the decision to quit in September, he resigned a day after lawyers for Mr Sargeant’s son, Jack, wrote a letter accusing him of causing “considerable distress” to the family.

Mr Jones, 51, who has been first minister since the retirement of Rhodri Morgan in 2009, said his exit would give his family,…

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